Preparedness Training Programs for Working With Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities and Older Adults: Lessons Learned From Key Informants and Literature Assessments

• Published in: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness Vol. 12; no. 5; pp. 606 - 614
• Main Authors: Kamau, Patricia W., Ivey, Susan L., Griese, Stephanie E., Qari, Shoukat H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Aged; Deafness; Disaster Planning - methods; Disaster Planning - standards; Emergency preparedness; Health Services Needs and Demand - trends; Humans; Literature reviews; Middle Aged; Nonprofit organizations; Older people; Original Research; Persons With Hearing Impairments - psychology; Public health; Teaching - standards; Training; North Carolina; United States > US; training programs; hard of hearing; older adults; emergency preparedness; Deaf
• ISSN: 1935-7893; 1938-744X
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2017.117

The objectives of this study were to (1) identify available training programs for emergency response personnel and public health professionals on addressing the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and older adults, (2) identify strategies to improve these training programs, and (3) identify gaps in available training programs and make recommendations for addressing these gaps. A literature review was conducted to identify relevant training programs and identify lessons learned. Interviews were conducted by telephone or email with key informants who were subject matter experts who worked with Deaf and hard of hearing persons (n=11) and older adults (n=11). From the literature, 11 training programs targeting public health professionals and emergency response personnel serving Deaf and hard of hearing individuals (n=7) and older adults (n=4) were identified. The 4 training programs focused on older adults had corresponding evaluations published in the literature. Three (43%) of the 7 training programs focused on Deaf and hard of hearing persons included individuals from the affected communities in the development and implementation of the training. Key informant interviews identified common recommendations for improving training programs: (1) training should involve collaboration across different emergency, state, federal, and advocacy agencies; (2) training should involve members of affected communities; (3) training should be more widely accessible and affordable; and (4) training should teach response personnel varied communication techniques relevant to the Deaf and hard of hearing and older adult communities. Developing effective, accessible, and affordable training programs for emergency response personnel working with Deaf and hard of hearing persons, some of whom belong to the older adult population, will require a collaborative effort among emergency response agencies, public health organizations, and members of the affected communities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:606-614).